Over 3,600 in Attendance for Western Heritage Day

Hardin-Simmons University’s history is steeped in western heritage. Our founders were frontiers-people and ranchers; our mascot is a Cowboy; we have an active horse barn and riding program; our school song cries, “Fair daughter of the WEST, we love and honor thee. Hardin-Simmons’ fighting cowboys! Yeee-haw!”

Every April, the campus hosts thousands of local schoolchildren to explore this western heritage. On April 27, 2023, HSU hosted over 3,600 students from the Big Country for its 41st annual Western Heritage Day.

Students learn how to wash clothes with a washboard.

Kiddos spend the day immersed in western heritage. They walk the campus, taking turns to wash clothes with a washboard; watch a farrier shoe a horse; see a sheep sheared and feel the freshly cut wool; practice trick roping; play a game of washers; dote on the animals at the petting zoo; explore how food was cooked by campfire and from a chuckwagon; watch performances by the Six White Horses, Cowboy Band, Ballet Folklorico; and more!

Students, faculty, and staff spend the day volunteering and go home with smiles and smelling of mesquite from the campfires. Western Heritage Day is a fun, energetic day that the whole campus looks forward to each year. While the events are geared toward the town’s youngsters, you will find students cooing over the little goats at the petting zoo and faculty enjoying a cup of “cowboy coffee” at the chuckwagon…that’s coffee with jalapeno in it.

Cassie Mattern, Director of University Events, shared, “It’s special because the teachers who bring their classes and our student volunteers can say, ‘I was here when I was your age!’ This 41-year tradition has been consistent over the years, so the memories of our current students are consistent with the new memories created by the young visitors.”

Plans are already underway for next year’s Western Heritage Day, and we cannot wait!